Prevailing Wage Commission Meeting Transcripts

Tennessee Prevailing Wage Commission

Minutes are to be recorded and available to the general public. Such records should include attendance, offered motions, proposals and resolutions, as well as votes and their results. Furthermore, secret votes, ballots or roll calls are prohibited. More information may be found within Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-44-104.

2025 Meeting Transcripts

May 14

May 14, 2025 Meeting Transcript May 14, 2025 Meeting Transcript Summary

September 4

Meeting Minutes Summary for September 4, 2025

Date of Meeting: September 4, 2025
Time: Meeting called to order at 1:55 PM
Location: TN Dept of Labor and Workforce Development - Tennessee Room – 220 French Landing Drive- Nashville, TN 37243
Presiding Officer: Deputy Commissioner Dewayne Scott

I. Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 1:55 PM.
Board Member Ann McGauran was absent.

II. Introductions and Announcements

Conflict of Interest Declarations: All members were reminded that completed forms should be on file with the department.

III. Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the agenda was made by Stephen Wright.
Second, by Scott Thompson.
Motion carried with no opposition.

IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes and Transcripts

Minutes and transcripts from the following dates were presented for approval:
- November 19, 2024
- November 26, 2024
- May 14, 2025
Motion to approve was made by Gwen Whittaker.
Second, by Stephen Wright.
Motion carried with no opposition.

V. Review and Approval of Prevailing Wage Survey Letter and Survey Form

Discussion led by General Counsel Chance Deason and Assistant Commissioner Tom Herrod.
The Board was informed that the existing list of 25 work classifications will be used for the current year due to delays in approving the new rule (with 22 classifications).
Chief of Staff Tia Xixis outlined the approval process and confirmed efforts to ensure the new rule will be in place for 2027.
The motion to approve the Survey Letter and Form was made by Scott Thompson.
Second, by Stephen Wright.
Motion carried with no opposition.

VI. Announcements – Upcoming Meetings

Deputy Commissioner Dewayne Scott confirmed the following upcoming meeting dates and Board member availability:

November 12, 2025 – 1:30 PM
- Review survey data
- Discuss and propose rates for each job classification
November 18, 2025 – 1:30 PM
- Final review of proposed 2026 Prevailing Wage rates
- Approval of 2026 Prevailing Wage rates

VII. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Stephen Wright.
Second, by Gwen Whittaker.
Motion carried with no opposition.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:08 PM.

November 12

Meeting Minutes Summary for November 12, 2025

Date of Meeting: November 12, 2025

Time: Meeting called to order at 1:30 PM

Location: Tennessee Room, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development – 220 French Landing Drive, Nashville, TN 37243

Presiding Officer: Deputy Commissioner Dewayne Scott

I. Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 PM.

Board Member Ann McGauran was absent initially but later arrived at 1:33 PM when discussion of Prevailing Wage Survey Data started.

II. Announcements

All members signed in and no one has yet signed up for public comments. Kent Starwalt later signed in for public comment at 1:35 PM.

III. Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the agenda was made by Stephen Wright.
Second, by Scott Thompson.
Motion carried with no opposition.

IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes and Transcripts

Minutes and transcripts from the following dates were presented for approval:
- September 4, 2025
Motion to approve was made by Scott Thompson.
Second, by Gwen Whitaker.
Motion carried with no opposition.

V. Review the Prevailing Wage Survey Data for Each Job Classification and Propose Wage Rates for 2026

Discussion led by Assistant Commissioner Tom Herrod. The Board discussed survey data based on third quarter reported payments for the 25 work classiﬁcations.

Blaster – $29.29
Bricklayer – $21.11
Carpenter/Leadsperson - $26.73
Class “A” Operator - $31.00
Class “B” Operator - $28.12
Class “C” Operator – $30.74
Class “D” Operator – $28.82
Concrete Finisher – $26.60
Drill Operator (Caisson) – $44.74
Electrician – $39.21
Farm Tractor Operator (Power Broom) – $20.74
Ironworkers Reinforcing – $27.87
Ironworkers (Structural) – $25.01
Large Crane Operator – $33.81
Mechanic (Class I) Heavy Duty – $38.23
Mechanic (Class II) Heavy Duty – $32.29
Painter/Sandblaster – $39.04
Skilled Laborer – $26.40
Survey Instrument Operator - $35.87
Sweeping Machine (Vacuum) Operator – $29.91
Truck Driver (2 axles) – $27.96
Truck Driver (3/4 axles) – $26.87
Truck Driver (5 or more axles) – $30.93
Unskilled Laborer – $23.52
Worksite Traffic Coordinator – $29.85

VI. Announcements – Upcoming Meetings

Deputy Commissioner Dewayne Scott conﬁrmed the following upcoming meeting date and Board member availability:

November 18, 2025 – 1:30 PM
- This is being changed to a virtual meeting on November 19, 2025, at 9:30 AM.
- Final review of proposed 2026 Prevailing Wage rates
- Approval of 2026 Prevailing Wage rates

Kent Starwalt requested an update on the proposed rule change. General Counsel Chance Deason reported that the Attorney General’s Office has granted approval. The filing with the Secretary of State’s Office is now authorized to proceed. The rules are anticipated to be approved by the Government Operations Committee by March 2026 and are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

VII. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Ann McGauran.
Second, by Scott Thompson.
Motion carried with no opposition.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:41 PM.

November 19

DRAFT: Meeting Minutes Summary for November 19, 2025

Date of Meeting: November 19, 2025

Time: Meeting called to order at 9:35 AM

Location: Virtual (Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development – 220 French Landing Drive, Nashville, TN 37243)

Presiding Officer: Deputy General Counsel Melissa Owens

I. Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 9:35 AM.

All members were present.

II. Announcements

No announcements

III. Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the agenda was made by Stephen Wright.
Second, by Scott Thompson.
Motion carried with no opposition.

IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes and Transcripts

Minutes and transcripts from the following dates were presented for approval:

November 12, 2025
- Motion to approve was made by Ann McGauran.
- Second, by Stephen Wright.
- Motion carried with no opposition.

V. Review and Approval of 2026 Prevailing Wage Rates

Discussion led by Assistant Commissioner Tom Herrod. The Board discussed survey data based on third quarter reported payments for the 25 work classiﬁcations.